TUNING REFERENCE

Drop D (Bass) tuning

D · A · D · G

Drop D (Bass) is a 4-string bass tuning with open strings D–A–D–G.

Instrument
4-String Bass
Strings
4
Open notes
D A D G
With octaves
D1 A1 D2 G2

FREE FRETBOARD REFERENCE

D Minor on the fretboard

Find each scale tone in a catalog tuning. Filled notes marked R are roots; outlined notes are other tones. Open strings are fret 0.

Choose a scale to see it in Drop D (Bass). A scale does not need to contain every open-string note to be played in this tuning.

4-String Bass referenceD Minor scale in this tuning

4-String Bass · Drop D (Bass) · Frets 0–12 · All scale tones

D Minor in Drop D (Bass) on 4-String BassPhysical string order is preserved, with the first catalog string at the bottom. Read exact frets and pitches in the table below. Roots carry an R marker.0123456789101112D1A1D2G2String 1, fret 0: D1, rootDRString 1, fret 2: E1EString 1, fret 3: F1FString 1, fret 5: G1GString 1, fret 7: A1AString 1, fret 8: A#1A#String 1, fret 10: C2CString 1, fret 12: D2, rootDRString 2, fret 0: A1AString 2, fret 1: A#1A#String 2, fret 3: C2CString 2, fret 5: D2, rootDRString 2, fret 7: E2EString 2, fret 8: F2FString 2, fret 10: G2GString 2, fret 12: A2AString 3, fret 0: D2, rootDRString 3, fret 2: E2EString 3, fret 3: F2FString 3, fret 5: G2GString 3, fret 7: A2AString 3, fret 8: A#2A#String 3, fret 10: C3CString 3, fret 12: D3, rootDRString 4, fret 0: G2GString 4, fret 2: A2AString 4, fret 3: A#2A#String 4, fret 5: C3CString 4, fret 7: D3, rootDRString 4, fret 9: E3EString 4, fret 10: F3FString 4, fret 12: G3G

Notes-per-string views select the first matching scale tones on each string at or above the starting fret, within a 12-fret window. These are position studies: crossing strings can repeat or skip pitches. They are not guaranteed continuous ascending runs or finger assignments. Four-note layouts can require stretches or position shifts.

Fret positions and pitches · first catalog string to last
Open stringFretsNotes with octaves
1 · D10 · 2 · 3 · 5 · 7 · 8 · 10 · 12D1 · E1 · F1 · G1 · A1 · A#1 · C2 · D2
2 · A10 · 1 · 3 · 5 · 7 · 8 · 10 · 12A1 · A#1 · C2 · D2 · E2 · F2 · G2 · A2
3 · D20 · 2 · 3 · 5 · 7 · 8 · 10 · 12D2 · E2 · F2 · G2 · A2 · A#2 · C3 · D3
4 · G20 · 2 · 3 · 5 · 7 · 9 · 10 · 12G2 · A2 · A#2 · C3 · D3 · E3 · F3 · G3

Intervals from the first string

Each interval is measured by pitch class from the first physical open string. String order is preserved for re-entrant and doubled-course tunings.

StringNoteSemitonesInterval
1D10Root
2A17Perfect 5th
3D20Root
4G25Perfect 4th

Compare with Standard (Bass)

Pitch changes in semitones for each physical string, compared with Standard (Bass). Negative values lower the pitch; positive values raise it. Check your instrument and string gauges before changing register.

StringDefault pitchThis tuningChange
1E1D1-2 semitones
2A1A10 semitones
3D2D20 semitones
4G2G20 semitones

Explore this string layout

Browse 4-string bass tunings. Related tunings below prioritize the default tuning, matching interval structures, and nearby open-string pitches.

Scales containing every open-string pitch class

C MajorC Major pentatonicD MajorD MinorD Minor pentatonicE MinorE Minor pentatonicF Major

Related tunings

Standard (Bass)Tenor (Bass)

TAKE IT TO THE FRETBOARD

Explore this reference in Tunings

Use the interactive workbench for custom tunings, translation, saved instruments, fingering tools, and advanced analysis.

Open Tunings